Engine



m' 399 M35 I j H. H. Timm y 9,999,489

.' l ENGINE Filed Dec. 12', 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l mvENTQR.

H., H. TJMIAN ENGINE Awful w, w3.,

' Filed Dec. 12, 1931 wwwa@ V 2 Sheets-Sheet4 2 ATTORNEY. u

Patented Apr., .30, 1935 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,999,489 ENGINE .p nai-01a n. iranien, Detroit, Mich.. assigner to -Continental Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich.,

a corporation of Virginia.

Application December l2, 1931, Serial No. 580,528

22 Claims.

10 spective engine cylinders. My engine is especially suitable for use with an engine of the sleeve valve type wherein it has been found desirable to introduce Athe fuel mixture to the engine cylinders in the manner as shown in the illustrated embodiment of my invention. It is understood, however,

that my invention in its broadest aspects need not K' loeflimited to engines of the sleeve valve type since the principles of my invention may be embodied in engines other than the sleeve valve type, and in engines other than that type in which the fuel mixture is separately conducted to each of the cylinders.

An object of my invention is to eect a predetermined fuel mixture distribution for multi-cylinder internal combustion engines by providing an intake manifold structure adapted for providing a fuel mixture distribution tending to effect an improved.A performance in the operation of the engine.

Another objectA of' my invention is to provide the improved fuel mixture distributing device for multi-cylinder in-line engines by providing the manifold structure with a plurality of outlets and associated means for eecting a predetermined distribution of the fuel mixture to said outlets.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved fuel mixture distributing device for a. Vmulti-cylinder internal combustion engine in which the intake cycle of one of the engine cylinders overlaps with respect to the intake cycle of another engine cylinder by providing means for equalizing the fuel mixture llow to counteract the tendency towards unequal distribution as induced by the overlapping intake cycles of some of the engine cylinders.

For a more detailed understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanylng drawings which illustrate one form which my` invention may assume, and in which:

Iig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through an engine of the' sleeve valve type illustrating my imy provedfuel mixture distributing device associated "therewith, f

'f Fig.- 2 is a fragmentary plan sectional view of my improved vfuel mixture distributing device,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View thereof taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fjg 2, A

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on the lines 4 4, 5-5 and 5 t-E of Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an intake manifold structure for a six cylinder engine constructed in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the 10 manifold structure as shown in Fig. 7 in plan, as

' viewed from the line 8--8 of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic elevational view of an intake manifold structure associated with an up-draft carburetor, 15

Fig. l0 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a modied formof construction,

Fig. 11 is a'detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line lI-II of Fig. 10,

A Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a further modied form of construction,

Figs. 13 and 14 are detail vertical sectional views illustrating two types of deflecting means which may be incorporated in a fuel mixture distributing device of the type herein illustrated. 25

In view of the fact that very benecial results are obtained withl the use of a fuel mixture distributing device of the character hereinafter described with a sleeve valve engine, I have chosen for purposes of illustration to show my-invention as incorporated with the sleeve valve engine having a plurality of cylinders preferably arranged in line. It will be noted that my invention in its broadest aspects need not be limited to use with a sleeve valve engine since the novel features of my invention may be incorporated in engines otherthan the sleeve valve type. In the accompan'ying drawings I have illustrated an engine of the single sleeve valve type which in general includes a crankcase I0 having a plurality of cylinders I l in which a sleeve valve I2 is operably supported. A piston I3 preferably reciprocates Within the sleeve valve means and is connected 'with the crankshaft I4 by means of a connecting Cil tration to provide a single sleeve valve I2 ofthe Burt-McCollum type which is given a combined reciprocating and oscillating movementJ with respect to the cylinder and sleeve axes in a well know manner wherein any point on the sleeve traverses a closed path. Movement to the sleeve valve means is imparted thereto by means of a wobble shaft 22 having wobble cranks 23, said cranks being connected with the sleeve I2 by means of the link 24 and the ball yand socket structure 25.

An intake manifold structure A is associated with the engine and constructed to distribute the fuel mixture to the respective engine cylinders. A suitable exhaust manifold B may also be associated therewith for collecting the exhaust gasesl and conducting same yto a distant point.

In the preferred construction as shown in the accompanying drawings, I have provided the engine with a carburetor C having a downwardly extending fuel conducting portion 2B adapted to be connected with the fuel conducting conduit 2l of the manifold structure which extends generally upwardly from the remaining parts of the fuel mixture distributing device. The manifold structure provides the lateral runner portions A1 and A2 which are preferably extended in opposite directions and are each provided with a plurality of port outlets. These outlets in the lateral runner portions A1 and A2 are respectively numbered from I to 8 inclusive and are adapted for separate connection with the cylinders of the engine which may be respectively numbered I', 2', 3', 4', 6', l', 8 by means of the port runner portions a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, a", a. These port-outlets are preferably spaced longitudinally of the lateral runner portions and it may be noted that the port outlets I to 4 inclusive are associated with the lateral runner A1 while the port outlets 5 to 8 inclusive are associated with the lateral runner portion A2. It may also bey noted that the lateral runners A1 and A2 extend in opposite directions and in general provide a continuous fuel mixture distributing portion to which the pluralityy of port runner portions communicate.

A manifold structure comprising a header and a plurality of branch portions is not broadly novel but the means associated therewith as illustrated by my present invention provides means for controlling the fuel mixture distribution in such a way as to make this type of structure practical for commercial use. The distribution of wet fuel in a manifold of this type is dicult to obtain because of the ramming effect resulting from this construction and also because of the unequal distribution ofthe wet parasitic fuel on acceleration unless some means are provided for counteracting the tendency of the wet fuel particles lying in the form ofa film on the floor of the manifold to sweep into the end cylinders I' and 8'. In my present invention I have Icounteracted this tendency towards unequal distribution on acceleration of the engine without upsetting the general distributing characteristics of the fuel mixture distributing device by providing bailies or other suitable protuberances 30 within the fuel mixture distributing portion of the manifold structure. In` this case I have preferably arranged these baffles adjacent the port outlets 2, 3, B and 1 and I have preferably provided said bales'with a deecting wall 29 inclined to the axis of the lateral runners and inclined with respect to the port outlets associated therewith in such a manner as to deflect the precipitated wet fuel and to effect a predetermined distribution to said port outlets of said wet fuel in the manifold and normal fuel mixture as received from the fuel mixture forming means or carburetor. It will be noted that in the construction illustrated that these baffles or protuberances are located substantially central with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lateral runner and are spaced from both side walls thereof. This construction provides a substantial uniform distribution but obviously my invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to a precise construction as herein illustrated since different conditions and different engine designs may necessitate the construction of more or less baffles of v/arious sizes, shapes, etc. and said baffles may be located at other points than illustrated and arranged in various positions with respect to the' axis of the lateral runners. The exact construction and position of these bafiles may be best determined by 4experiment and in the experiments performed by applicant in arriving at a construction suitable for an engine of the type herein illustrated, the construction shown in Fig. 2 was found to be quite satisfactory.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate bailies of different construction and as herein illustrated these baffles 30' and 3D shown respectively in Figs. 13 and 14, extend from the oor 3I of the lateral runner to the roof 32. 'I'he cross-sectional construction of these baffles 30 and 30" may be varied in such a manner as to obtain a predetermined distribution of the fuel mixture at various engine speeds. The advantage of this type of construction may be apparent when it is remembered that the fuel mixture flows through the lateral runner in a strata formation, the densest portion of the fuel mixture flowy lying at different elevations within the runner at different engine speeds. Thus to obtain the correct distribution, it may be necessary to vary the cross-sectional construction of the baffle in order to obtain the correct action on the fuel mixture flow, the baies being constructed to act upon the fuel mixture ow of relatively greatest density so as to provide proper distribution at various engine speeds.

A further control of the fuel mixture distribution and in particular the distribution of the wet fuel particles may be obtained by positioning some of the ports in such a. manner as to provide an obstruction or dam adjacent the mouth of the port runners. This is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and shows the port outlets 4 and 5 spaced upwardly from the oor 3| of the lateral runners. 'I'hese port outlets 4 and 5 being closely adjacent to the fuel mixture conducting means 21 leading from the carburetor, tend to receive a larger quantity of the wet fuel particles on acceleration and during the operation of the engine due to the fact of their position and in order to counteract this tendency the said ports are constructed in a manner as herein illustrated.

In Figs. to 12' inclusive I have illustrated a modified construction for obtaining proper fuel mixture distribution and in particular the distribution of the wet fuel particles by providing depressions 40 adjacent some of the port outlets.

` As shown in Fig. l0, these depressions 40 are located in such a. manner as to extend inwardly of the port runner 42 in the floor thereof. 'Ihus as the wet, fuel particles flowing along the floor reach the depression a portion of the fuel is trapped within the depression where it may be swept into the associated port runner with a minimum of resistance. Preferably these depressions extend approximately -half Way across theI floor of the runner and it is obvious that the distribution tothe associated port runners may be varied by varying the dimensions of the depression. In Fig. 12 I have provided a depression M' associated with one of theport outlets 32' and a baille M associated with another of the port outlets. In some instances the construction as illustrated in Fig. 12 will be preferable for obtaining the required fuel mixture distribution.

In Figs. 2 and 3, I have illustrated my construci tion as being incorporated with a manifold structure adapted for use with an eight cylinder in line engine, but it is obvious that the principles of my invention as described above may be incorporated in engines of the v4 or 6 cylinder type. In Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, I have illustrated diagrammatically manifold structures V adapted for association with a 6 cylinder in line engine. In Fig. 7, I have illustrated a. manifold structure adapted for association with a downdraft carburetor-and have provided a baliie 50 substantially similar to the baille 30 employed with the manifold illustrated in Fig. 2. In Fig. 8,' I have illustrated another baffle 5D' of a different width and different position With respect to the longitudinal axis of the lateral runner than the bafiie 5t, it being advisable in some instances to provide the baflles of different Widths and different locations in order to obtain the required distribution. In Fig. 9, I have illustrated a manifold .structure which in general is of the type illustrated in Fig. 7 but is provided with a fuel mixture conducting portion of different construction. The fuel mixture conducting portion 2l shownl in Fig. 9 is of the type adapted for use with an up draft carburetor. l

In some engines, and in vparticular those of the type employing 8 or more cylinders in line, it is quite desirable in some instances to employ a crankshaft so constructed and'cooperatively associatedy with valving means that the intake cyclical event of some of the engine cylinders will overlap with respect to the intake cyclical event of other engine cylinders. For purposes of illustrating this principle I have chosen to illustrate an engine of the 8 cylinder in line type in which the intake cyclical event of cylinderll overlaps With that of cylinder i and the intake cyclical event of 5 overlaps with that of cylinder 8. As a result of this condition it is apparent that during a portion of the engine operation the engine cylinders l', t and 5', t are drawing fuel mixture from the intake manifold simultaneously. Thus-unless means are provided for supplying additional fuel mixture during this overlapping period of the cylinders these cylinders above referred to will be starved. The velocity at which the fuel mixture flows through the lateral runner associated with these overlapping cylinders remains substantially constant and in order to provide means for supplying an adequate supply of fuel mixture to these cylinders I have provided an enlargement Si) of thelateral runner in such a Way as to permit a greater volume of fuel mixture to be` conducted to the lateral runner. This diiculty may be readily overcome in an 8 cylinder in line engine because of the fact that the middle cylinders t and 5 which overlap with 4respect to the end cylinders, lie adjacent to the primary fuel mixture conducting means 2. In engines of more than 8 cylinders the overlapping cylinders may not lie adjacent the primary fuel conducting portion of the manifold structure and thus may present 'some difhoulties but the principle as shown in my invention may be thus utilized to overcome the difliculty if so desired. Howeverl my inventionhas special reference to an 8 cylinder engine and by enlarging the lateral runner adjacent the middle port outlets 4 and 5 as at 60 which lie adjacent to the primary vfuel mixture conducting portion 21, it will be seen that the end port outlets I and 8 associated with the end cylinders l and 8 will not be starved since the afdditional amount of fuel mixture needed for supplying' these overlapping cylinders l', 4 and 5', 8 is taken care of by th'e enlarged runner portion 60 as described above.

It will be further noted that the inner vertical edges/ and 5a of the middle port outlets are substa tially flush with the inside wall of the primary fuel conducting means 2l and the said lateral runners and associated port outlets are preferably symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis of the primary fuel mixture conducting means.

The length of the port runners a1 to a8 inclusive is of special importance in connection with the sleeve valve engine of the type illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In sleeve valve engines it is quite essential that the fuel mixture be conducted substantially symmetrical into the intake chambers 'l0 in order to not upset any of the swirl control devices usually incorporated with engines of this character.. In order to straighten out the fuel mixture ow it is foundthat these port runners should have a length substantially 2.4 times the manifold width in order to direct the fuel mixture flow straight into the intake chamber lll with a minimum of resistance. lustrated I have thus provided an intake manifold structure particularly adapted for use with a sleeve valve engine and have provided a fuel mixture distributing device constructed and arranged to conduct the fuel mixture to each engine cylinder by means of individual port runners thus making it possible to more efficiently control the swirl in the engine cylinder by means of the usual swirl controlling devices.

It will be noted that I have provided a fuel mixture distributing device of novel construction and of an arrangement which can be readily incorporated in production manufacturing. The devices by which I obtained the predetermined distribution'of the fuel mixture do not require elaborate production operations, and as a result full advantage may be taken of the improvements herein described and claimed with a minimum of expense and no adjustments or other adjustable controls are necessary in obtaining the desired distribution of the fuel mixture throughout the engine speed range.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains that various modifications and changes may be made therein Without departing from the` spirit of my inventicn or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is: Y

l. A fuel mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine and including a distributing portion having a plurality of port outlets including end and intermediate outlets and adapted forecommunication with the engine cylinders, and means within the distributing portion and spaced from' the side wallsthereof for uniformly distributing the fuel now to said port outlets.

2. A fuel kmixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder internal combustionl engine and including a distributing portion having a plurality of port outlets including end and inter- With the construction as herein ilmediate outlets and adapted for communication with the engine cylinders, and means within the distributing portion and spaced from the side walls thereof, said means having an angular relation with respect to said port outlets whereby to deflect the fuel towards said respective intermediate port outlets for uniformly distributing the fuel flow thereto.

3. A fuel mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine and` including a distributing portion having a plurality of port outlets including end and intermediate outlets and adapted for communication with the engine cylinders, and means including a deflecting member within the distributing portion and spaced from the side walls thereof, said member acting on the fuel to deflect same towards the intermediate port outlets for uniformly distributing the fuel flow to said port outlets.

4. A fuel mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine and including a distributing portion having a plurality of port outlets including end and intermediate outlets and adapted for communication with the engine cylinders, and means within the distributing portion and including a baille spaced from said port outlets and from the side walls of said distributing portion, said baille having a deilecting wall angularly inclined with respect to said fuel flow to deflect portions of saine towards the intermediate port outlets whereby to provide a predetermined distribution of the fuel mixture to said port outlets.

5. A fuel mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine and including a distributing portion having a plurality of port outlets including end and intermediate outlets and communicating with the engine cylinders, and means including a device spaced from the side walls of the distributing portion and constructed to act upon the fuel flow to successively deflect predetermined amounts thereof from said intermediate fuel stream whereby to eifect a substantially uniform distribution of the fuel to said port outlets.

multi-cylinder internal combustion engine and including a distributing portion having a plurality ofport outlets adapted for communication with the engine cylinders, the floor of said distributing portion having a depression adjacent one or more of said port outlets for effecting a predetermined distribution of the wet fuel to said port outlets, and a deflecting member within said distributing portion and associated with said port outlets for effecting a further predetermined distribution of said fuel flow to said port outlets.

8. A fuelv mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having fuel mixture forming means, said device including a manifold structurercooperatively associated with said fuelmixture forming means and having lateral runners each provided with a plurality of port outlets including end and intermediate outlets, and means within said runners and spaced from the side walls thereof for effecting a predetermined fuel flow distribution to said port outlets.

9. A fuel mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder engine and including a manifold structure having lateral runners each provided with a plurality of port outlets spaced longitudinally thereof, and means including deflecting members located within said lateral runners and spaced from both side walls thereof for eifecting a predetermined distribution of the fuel flow to said port outlets.

10. A fuel mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder engine and including a runner portion having a plurality of port outlets adapted for communication with the engine cylinders, said runner portion having intermediate bailles of varying predetermined cross section constructled to act on said fuel flow for effecting a piedetermined distribution of said fuel to said port outlets.

ll. A fuel mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder engine and including a manifold structure having a lateral runner provided with a plurality of port outlets spaced longitudinally of the runner, one of said port outlets having a lower edge offset with respect to the floor of therunner.

12. A fuel mixture distributing vdevice for a' multi-cylinder engine and including a manifold structure having a lateral runner provided with a plurality of port outlets, one of said port outlets having a lower edge offset with respect to the floor of the runner, and means within said runner and including one or more fuel flow deilecting devices adjacent to one or more of said port outlets for deilecting, a predetermined amount of the fuel flow respectively to said port outlets.

.13. A fuelmixture distributing means for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having cylinder intake ports and associated devices for controlling the introduction of fuel mixture into the cylinders constructed and arranged for providing overlapping intake cyclical events; said means including a fuel mixture conducting portion having a plurality of port outlets communicating with the engine cylinders, said conducting portion including an enlarged portion cooperating with a port outlet associated with a cylinder having an intake cyclical event overlapping the intake cyclical event of another cylinder to maintain substantially constant fuel mixture velocities in said conducting portion for equalizing the charge variations due to the overlapping of said cyclicaluevents.

14. A fuel mixture distributing means for a multi-clylinder internal combustion engine having cylinder intake ports and associated devices for controlling the introduction of fuel mixture into the cylinders constructed and arranged for providing overlapping intake Icyclical events; said means including oppositely extending'lateral runners each provided with a plurality of port outlets spaced longitudinally thereof, said port outlets adaptedfor communication with the engine cylinders, the lateral runner adjacent the port outlet associated with the cylinder having an intake cyclical event overlapping the intake cyclical event of another cylinder being enlarged to provide a relatively greater cross-sectional area permitting the equalization of charge variations d ue to said overlapping of said cyclical events.

15. A fuel mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder engine and including a manifold structure having a primary fuel mixture conf structure havingl a primary fuel mixture conducting means and lateral runner portions communicating therewith, said lateral runner portions having a plurality of port outlets spaced longitudinally thereof, one of said port outlets in each lateral runner portion being located adjacent the junction of said primary fuel mixture conducting means and the lateral runner portion, the runner portion adjacent to said last mentioned port outlet being enlarged to accommodate a' greater volume of fuel mixture ow without materially varying the velocity of ow.

17. A manifold structure for a multi-cylinder engine including'a conducting portion having a port outlet intermediate the ends thereof, and means associated with said intermediate outlet for dropping fuel precipitate below the conducting portion iioor level for introduction into said intermediate outlet. Y

18. A manifold structure for a multi-cylinder engine including a conducting portion extending longitudinally of the engine and a plurality of port runners, said portion adapted for carrying fuel precipitates, and means for dropping a portion of said fuel precipitate at points intermediate the length of said conducting portion for introduction into said port runners, whereby to effect substantially uniform distribution of said fuel precipitates to said engine cylinders.

19. A manifold structure for a multi-cylinder engine including a conducting portion extending longitudinally of the engine and port runners connected therewith, said portion adapted for carrying fuel precipitates, and means for successively dropping predetermined portions of said fuel precipitates at spaced points intermediate the length of said conducting portion for introduction into said port runners whereby to effect substantially uniform distribution of. said fuel precipitates to said engine cylinders.

20. A manifold structure for a multi-cylinder enginevincluding a conducting portion extending longitudinally of the engine 'and adapted for carrying fuel precipitates, said conducting portion having a port outlet at one end and a plurality of intermediate port outlets, said port outlets each communicating with an engine cylinder, and means including a bailie within said conducting portion respectively associated and cooperating with said intermediate portfoutlets for deflecting predetermined amounts of the fuel precipitates 'towards said associated intermediate port outlets whereby to effect substantially uniform distribution of said fuel precipitates to said engine cylinders.

21".. A manifold structure for a multi-cylinder engine includingV a conducting portion extending longitudinally of the e'ngine and adapted for carrying fuel precipitates, said conducting portion having a port outlet at onev end and a plurality of intermediate port outlets, said port outlets each communicating with an engine cylinder, and baffles extending transversely within said conducting portion adjacent the far side of\ the port outlets in the direction of fuel travel for decting predetermined amounts of the fuel precipitates towards said intermediate port outlets whereby to eiect substantially uniformA distribution of said fuel precipitates to said engine cylinders.

22. A fuel mixture distributing device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine including a fuel -mixtureconducting portion extending longitudinally of the engine and having a plurality of outlet ports spaced longitudinally thereof and communicating with the engine cylinders, and means including wet fuel deflecting devices spaced longitudinally within the conducting portion and acting on the wet fuel precipitate flowing therethrough for successively deflecting predetermined amounts of the fuel towards the intermediate outlet ports whereby to counteract l the tendency of said deected fuel to flow past said intermediateports into the end outlet port.

HAROLD H. 

